Briar Woods and Tuscarora High Schools marked a milestone on August 18 with a White Coat Ceremony recognizing students in the Health and Medical Sciences (HAMSci) Academy. This year’s cohort includes 134 students: 75 at Briar Woods and 59 at Tuscarora. The event, held at Tuscarora High School, drew more than 580 RSVPs not including special guests and celebrated the induction of students into the four-year program.
The White Coat Ceremony represents more than a tradition. It is a visual commitment to students’ learning journey in health and medical sciences. The white coat signifies readiness to engage with rigorous coursework, the development of health literacy, and the responsibility to use knowledge and skills to make informed health-related decisions for themselves and others. These milestones prepare students for both further postsecondary study and careers in the healthcare field.
“The White Coat Ceremony is a significant event for our students, our division and the community,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Ashley Ellis. “HAMSci not only gives students unique, hands-on opportunities in health and medical sciences but also strengthens their critical thinking and communication skills, aligning directly with our Instructional Framework. This program helps students see how what they are learning connects to real-world applications and future careers.”
HAMSci, the White Coat Ceremony and experiences such as the Academy’s Speaker Series are supported by the Career, Technical and Adult Education office in collaboration with other LCPS departments. The Academy also receives strong backing from business partners including the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, the Loudoun Education Foundation and Inova Health System. With this support, HAMSci connects student interests with local and national workforce needs in one of the fastest-growing career fields. The program emphasizes health science literacy, critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving, all core elements of the LCPS Instructional Framework. Students also have opportunities to earn industry-recognized credentials, preparing them to be both career and future ready.